Brass Knuckles California

Brass Knuckles Laws in California – What You Need to Know

Brass knuckles—also called knuckles, knucks, brass knucks, or a classic fist pack—are weapons used in hand-to-hand combat that fit over the fingers. They’re made of brass or other hard materials and concentrate force from a punch to increase striking power.
But are brass knuckles legal in California? Let’s take a look.

Are Brass Knuckles Legal in California?

Nope, sorry dude. Brass knuckles are illegal to own or carry in California, even if solely for decoration or collection purposes.
California Penal Code section 22210 states it’s a misdemeanor to manufacture, import into the state, sell, or possess metal knuckles.
And before you ask—nope, there aren’t any exceptions for self-defense purposes. Brass knuckles are considered an “offensive weapon” under California law.
So if you get caught with brass knuckles on you—whether you’re wearing them or just carrying them in a bag—you could face fines up to $1,000 and up to a year in county jail. Not worth it, bro.

What About Other Self-Defense Weapons?

Okay, so brass knuckles are a no-go. But what other self-defense weapons can you legally carry in California for protection?
Here are a few options:
Pepper Spray – Pepper spray is legal to buy and carry in California with some exceptions. You need to be over 18 and can’t have any felonies. Also, the spray can’t be over 2.5 ounces or shoot farther than 10 feet.
Stun Guns/Tasers – These are legal for self-defense for anyone over 18 without felonies. But you can’t take them into airports or schools.
Folding Pocket Knives – It’s legal to carry pocket knives under 2 inches when folded. But larger fixed-blade knives are more questionable.
Tactical Flashlights – Heavy metal flashlights—especially with serrated or crenelated bezels—can deter attacks. 100% legal to carry.
Kubotans – These keychain self-defense weapons concentrate force. Legal unless banned locally.
So in short—you’ve got options for self-defense tools to carry legally in Cali. Brass knuckles just aren’t one of them.

What About Brass Knuckle Keychains in California?

Okay, one more question I get a lot:
Are brass knuckle keychains legal to carry in California?
Unfortunately, nope. Even novelty brass knuckle keychains are considered illegal under California’s law prohibiting metal knuckles.
It doesn’t matter if they’re small or just decorative. If they’re made of metal and fit over your fingers like brass knuckles, they’re banned.
But here’s a pro-tip: Look for similar plastic knuckle keychains. Those should be legal to carry for self-defense since they aren’t actually metal knuckles.

The History Behind California’s Brass Knuckles Ban

Now you might be wondering…why did California ban brass knuckles in the first place?
Well, back in 2010, California updated its law to ban metal knuckles, including brass knuckles, after a rash of violent crimes involving their use.
Some key events that led to the brass knuckle prohibition:

• In LA in 2009, two taggers used brass knuckles to attack and kill a good Samaritan trying to stop them from vandalizing property.
• In 2010, a man beat a female bartender in Sacramento with brass knuckles, fracturing her skull.
• Police groups across California pushed for a brass knuckle ban after reporting a “rapid proliferation” of knuckle assaults that year.

So in response to these violent crimes, California updated its law to crack down on metal and brass knuckles as an “instrument of violence.”
The goal was to get weapons like brass knuckles off the streets and dissuade attackers from using them to severely injure victims.
And since the 2010 brass knuckle ban passed, police have praised the law for leading to fewer knuckle assaults statewide.
But critics argue the ban was an overreach that infringed on the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry brass knuckles for self-defense.

What About Federal Brass Knuckle Laws?

Apart from California’s statewide brass knuckle prohibition, it’s also illegal to buy, sell or transfer brass knuckles across state lines or internationally under federal law.
The U.S. banned interstate commerce of brass knuckles way back in 1958 under the Switchblade Knife Act.
So buying brass knuckles online and shipping them over state lines is very illegal on a federal level. Don’t do it!
And U.S. Customs will seize any international shipments of brass knuckles coming into the country.
But individual state laws determine if simple possession of brass knuckles is legal or not. It varies widely – from completely illegal in states like California to totally legal in places like Texas.
So why are brass knuckles treated like contraband by the feds?
When the 1958 law passed, brass knuckles didn’t have a very good reputation. They were seen as the weapon of choice for street gangs, criminals and other “unsavory characters.”
Not exactly how you wanna be seen, right?
The federal brass knuckle restrictions were meant to crack down on the spread of these weapons to criminals nationwide.
But again—critics argue these laws are outdated and infringe on citizens’ rights.
And states like Texas have legalized brass knuckles based on arguments that they have lawful uses—like self-defense, collecting, or display.

What About Brass Knuckle Tattoos in California?

Last question I get all the time:
Are brass knuckle tattoos legal in California?
And the answer is—yep, 100% legal, no problem.
California laws only prohibit real metal that you wear over your fingers as a weapon. Ink and skin don’t count!
So feel free to get sweet brass knuckle tats if that’s your thing. Just don’t wear real metal knucks or try smuggling them inside your skin (bad idea).
And pro-tip: Get your brass knuckle tattoo in a spot easily covered up, like your shoulder or chest. That way it won’t cause issues if you apply for jobs and stuff later on.

Parting Thoughts

Welp, that wraps up the basics on brass knuckle laws in The Golden State.
To recap:

• Brass knuckles are illegal to own or carry in California—no exceptions.
• Plastic knuckle keychains make a decent legal substitute for self-defense.
• Consider pepper spray, stun guns, tactical flashlights or kubotans instead.
• Brass knuckle tattoos are 100% legal—just don’t try implanting real metal ones!

I know the brass knuckle ban sucks if you dig the old school punching style. But trust me—getting caught with them just isn’t worth the criminal charges or fines.